CORVIDS
My Research Articles
Below are my Big 3 sources, as well as three additional sources, covering problems faced by my species with their respective solutions that I will be using in my essay!
Decision-making flexibility in New Caledonian crows, young children and adult humans in a multi-dimensional tool-use task
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Citation: Miller, Rachael, et al. “Decision-Making Flexibility in New Caledonian Crows, Young Children and Adult Humans in a Multi-Dimensional Tool-Use Task.” PLOS ONE, vol. 15, no. 3, 2020, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219874.
The authors are researchers in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. The study goes over the ability for New Caledonian Crows to use tools. Tests measured how well the crows were able to use tools to get food in various situations; for example, the crows were supposed to use a stick in one test and a rock in another. The crows were also tested to see if they would wait for better food options even if having to wait longer. Miller et. al. concludes through these different experiments to test delayed gratification and tool usage in crows that they are able to perform at an intelligence level that is close to that of human children and adults.
Ground-hornbills (Bucorvus) show means-end understanding in a horizontal two-string discrimination task
In this study done on three ground-hornbills, researcher Samara Danel at the laboratory for the Study of Cognitive Mechanisms at the University of Lyon in France tests whether the subjects are able to display cognitive reasoning. They test this by presenting the birds with two strings to pull, one with food and the other without. Danel has multiple trials with the strings straight, crossed, coiled, etc. Since the sample is so small, they determine a bigger sample size is required to draw better conclusions. Despite this, they do hint that birds are much more intelligent than previously believed, and further research would help to come up with better results.
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Citation: Danel, Samara, et al. “Ground-Hornbills (Bucorvus) Show Means-End Understanding in a Horizontal Two-String Discrimination Task.” Journal of Ethology, vol. 37, no. 1, 2018, pp. 117–122., doi:10.1007/s10164-018-0565-9.
Self-recognition in corvids: evidence from the mirror-mark test in Indian house crows (Corvus splendens)
The researcher, Amaan Buniyaadi, is a PhD student at the University of Delhi who studies the cognitive abilities in corvids. They tested the Indian house crows in the mark test, a very common test performed to see whether an organism has what is referred to as "object permanence", or the ability to understand that objects still exist even when they are not seen, heard, or sensed by the individual. Using a red dot and placing this on the subjects, Buniyaadi found that the crows did in fact show that they had object permanence, an ability that is also found in higher intelligence animals such as elephants, dolphins, and chimpanzees. The crows would scratch or use their beaks to try and move the dot on themselves rather than their reflections.
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Citation: Buniyaadi, Amaan, et al. “Self-Recognition in Corvids: Evidence from the Mirror-Mark Test in Indian House Crows (Corvus Splendens).” Journal of Ornithology, vol. 161, no. 2, 2019, pp. 341–350., doi:10.1007/s10336-019-01730-2.
Additional Sources Below
Plastic and the Nest Entanglement of Urban and Agricultural Crows
In this article, the researchers are from the University of California Davis and are in the field of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology and Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology respectively. They study the effects of plastic and other debris on the lives of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) who live either in urban or agricultural landscapes in Sacramento Valley, California. Out of the 106 nests containing 195 nestlings, they find that over 80 percent of these nests contain anthropogenic material, otherwise known as artificial (man-made) material. They also find that entanglement is increased by as much as 8 times for nests in agricultural areas due to longer lengths of anthropogenic material; this in turn leads to a lower chance of survival for the fledglings.
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Citation: Townsend, Andrea K., and Christopher M. Barker. “Plastic and the Nest Entanglement of Urban and Agricultural Crows.” PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, 31 Jan. 2014, journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0088006#abstract0.
The Consequences of Imprinting
In this article by an organization known as Corvid Isle, they discuss the problems with Jackdaws imprinting on humans rather than other of their own species. Due to their appearance as fledglings being "cute" in the eyes of onlookers, many are taken in and cared for inexperienced people. While imprinting isn't wrong necessarily, Jackdaws who imprint on humans may believe they are more human than avain and develop problems psychologically since their species is known to be very close together and lives in groups. Leaving these birds alone or not giving them enough attention made lead them to develop mental problems, such as depression and anxiety.
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Citation: Crow. “The Consequences Of Imprinting.” Corvid Blog, 9 Aug. 2019, corvid-isle.co.uk/consequences-imprinting.
How to Prevent Birds Colliding With Windows
In this article by Corvid Isle (see above for link to their Twitter), they discuss the problem with birds receiving impact trauma due to colliding with windows. With the number of birds dying from running into windows reaching one billion, it is important for those who have windows to ensure they do what they can to minimize the harm on birds. Impact trauma usually does a number on populations of birds that use bird feeders, as well as those who migrate and are not known to live in the area. Reflective windows that are left uncovered also contribute to this problem.
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Citation: Crow. “How To Prevent Birds Colliding With Windows.” Corvid Blog, 14 Sept. 2019, corvid-isle.co.uk/how-to-prevent-birds-colliding-with-windows.
First Aid for Birds - Impact Trauma
In this article by Corvid Isle (see above for link to their Twitter), they give guidance on how to care for a bird that is found on the ground and appears to be injured. They explain the causes of impact trauma (reflective windows and car collisions) and how best to take care of a bird if it is unconscious. They also caution on when it is unsafe to help since the caretaker may be hurt by the beak or talons of a bird, especially a wild one. They conclude that seeking professional care for the injured bird is best and will help increase its chances of survival.
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Citation: Crow. “First Aid For Birds – Impact Trauma.” Corvid Blog, 17 Jan. 2019, corvid-isle.co.uk/first-aid-birds-impact-trauma.
Protect Birds: Be the Solution to PLastic Pollution
In this article, the authors address the biggest problem faced not only by marine life, but avian and land dwelling species as well: plastic pollution. They reference studies of plastic pollution on species of birds and the problems that have risen due to entanglement or consumption of plastic. They also advocate for educating others and making sure to recycle as much as possible in order to help reduce the amount of plastic getting into the natural environment. The authors also host other events to address additional problems faced by migratory birds all over the world.
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Citation: “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.” Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution! | World Migratory Bird Day, www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2019/plastic-pollution-migratory-birds.
Jackdaw Jacky - Thoughts About Sentience
In this article by Corvid Isle (see above for link to their Twitter), they tell the story of a western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) named Jacky. She is one of the few jackdaws who was taken in by a well-intentioned person and imprinted on them. At the time, the consequences of this were not apparent, but Corvid Isle explains how Jacky is unable to get along with fellow jackdaws, and is not even welcomed by them. For this reason she can never be released, and she must be cared for often by humans in order to develop as normally as possible. The author warns of this type of behavior happening due to the lack of research done by those who try to help birds.
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Citation: Crow. “Jackdaw Jacky – Thoughts About Sentience.” Corvid Blog, 8 July 2019, corvid-isle.co.uk/jackdaw-jacky-thoughts-about-sentience.